Coalinga goes to pot
No Central Valley city has traveled down the cannabis road than Coalinga now with 7 active – tax-paying business operations in town and 3 to 5 more pot enterprises knocking on the door for city approval.
Assistant City Manager Sean Brewer says there is an upcoming hearing for a new outdoor cultivation business in town (Oct 1) as well as a cannabis consumption lounge on Oct 6.
The outdoor cannabis farm would be in the city industrial area at 185 W. Gale Ave. The development, owned by Claremont Capital Partners, includes the cultivation of commercial cannabis in hoop houses and green houses on approximately 13 acres, the renovation of several existing accessory buildings for drying and curing, onsite improvements, construction of greenhouse structures and planting of cannabis plants. The applicant estimates they will have 2-3 harvests per year.
Three phases are planned. Phase 1 of the development will be to commercially cultivate approximately 9.76 acres of commercial cannabis (possible hoop houses), renovation of five (5) of the existing industrial buildings on site, demolition of one existing buildingBy Winter 2020 Phase 2 is expected to include the cultivation of an additional 1.53 acres of commercial cannabis, including additional security, fencing, a 6,500-nursery green house, and optional construction of green houses for cultivation of mature plants. Phase 3 of the development plan will include an additional 1.87 acres dedicated to commercial cultivation in the north portion of the property.
This project will generate at least 5 new full time jobs (possibly more part time work during harvest), cannabis licensing fees and cultivation taxes in excess of approximately $1.4 million at full build out at the current tax rate.
So that would be $1.4 million in city revenue from one project.
As it is, Brewer says the city’s 20/ 21 budget, just adopted, expects cannabis related revenue to the city of $1 million adding the per square foot fee and sales tax.That covers almost a third of the cost for the Coalinga police department.
Recalled local peaches were exported
Prima Wawona peaches involved in a recall in the U.S. and Canada because of salmonella were shipped to more than a dozen other countries.
So far, Canada, Singapore and New Zealand have recalled the peaches, according to an Aug. 28 notice from the Food and Drug Administration. Prima Wawona/Wawona Packing of Fresno, Calif., recalled peaches on Aug. 21, followed by a recall in Canada. The Singapore Food Agency recalled the peaches from importer Satoyu Trading Pte Ltd. on Aug. 25, and New Zealand Food Safety on Aug. 26 recalled bulk peaches from the company that went to retailers.
The Prima Wawona peaches also went to: Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. The FDA has alerted the food safety agencies in those countries.
No illnesses have been reported in those countries.
Funding secured for new Tulare interchange
Tulare will be awarded a $16 million to help construct a new interchange along State Route 99 at Commercial Avenue and Paige Avenue it was announced this month. The federal funding should allow the project to move forward say local officials. The grant leverages over $26 million in local taxpayer funds.The new interchange in the south part of the city will be a boon to the AgriCenter that will connect directly.On the westside the project opens up commercial opportunities for highway related stores and gas stations says Mayor Jose Sigala who adds he has heard interest in potential locations on the mostly vacant land there. The $75 million project is expected to begin construction in May 2022 and complete construction by July 2025.